Events
Galaxy Express 999: Anniversary stage production launches March 2027
The production combines Matsumoto's own train journey to Tokyo with Tetsuro's journey aboard the 999, running until April 11 at Kinokuniya Hall.
Galaxy Express 999 receives a new stage production for its 50th anniversary: „四畳半の大宇宙“ runs from March 31 to April 11, 2027, at Kinokuniya Hall in Tokyo. As reported by Anime!Anime!, the play is a joint anniversary project with the bookstore chain Kinokuniya, which celebrates its 100th year in 2027.
Two journeys link biography and science fiction
The production connects two levels. In the real storyline, the then 18-year-old Leiji Matsumoto travels to Tokyo by night train to begin his path as a manga artist. In parallel, Tetsuro Hoshino experiences trials in space aboard the Galaxy Express 999. The play is meant to bring motifs from Matsumoto's work together with the start of his own life journey.
Fuku Suzuki takes a dual role as the young Matsumoto and Tetsuro Hoshino. Koharu Sugawara plays the mysterious traveler who corresponds to Maetel. The wider ensemble includes Yuki Sasamori and Hiroki Sana in a double cast as Redril, Jin Aoki as Zeda, Rika Mayama and Nagisa Aoyama in a double cast as Carol, Tsubasa Sakiyama as Prider, and Sakina Ayakaze as Valkyrie.
Riko Onoma writes the script specifically for the production. Sanae Suzuki directs. Supervision of the project lies with Leijisha, the company founded by Leiji Matsumoto.
Galaxy Express 999 remains active as an anime
The stage play is part of a larger anniversary period. Leijisha confirms that the manga began in 1977 and was already adapted as a TV anime and theatrical film during its run. In July 2026, a new animated film based on Galaxy Express 999 was also announced. The story idea comes from Rintaro, and Toei Animation handles the animation; further details about the film are still pending.
Other older anime titles are also currently receiving extensive anniversary projects. A multi-year 55th-anniversary project for Panda Kopanda starts in October, while After War Gundam X marks its 30th anniversary with 39 motifs covering all TV episodes.
For „四畳半の大宇宙“, performances have so far been announced only in Tokyo from March 31 to April 11, 2027.